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Donovan McNabb makes heroic return to Chicago in ESPN episode

Here's a fun ESPN story that's worth passing along.

The Redskins concluded their first set of organized team activities Wednesday, and players mostly scattered their separate ways, knowing they don't have to return to Redskins Park until next Monday. Quarterback Donovan McNabb's day-after-OTA plan was a bit different than his teammates: He went back to school.

It sounds like it should be an interesting episode. Redskins owner Daniel Snyder and Coach Mike Shanahan both participated, appearing via satellite, as did Eagles Coach Andy Reid.

And McNabb's new teammate, tight end Chris Cooley, actually flew out to Chicago and visited Mt. Carmel with McNabb.

And if that wasn't enough, Mayor Richard Daley issued a proclamation, declaring Thursday to be Donovan McNabb Day in Chicago.

The episode won't air until later, but the ESPNChicago.com story provides a sneak-peek of sorts:

Inside the gym, McNabb shared on- and off-camera advice with the players and ran a few basketball drills. McNabb, who also starred on Mount Carmel's basketball team, was rusty in the beginning and missed his first few jumpers, but he did redeem himself as time passed.

After elevating slightly above the rim for one layup, McNabb was asked by Reilly whether he could still dunk. McNabb said he could. Reilly followed with, "Will you be dunking today?" McNabb laughed and said, "No."

Mount Carmel junior guard Tracy Abrams, who is committed to Illinois, didn't pick up any basketball pointers as he was confident he could take McNabb one-on-one, but he did find something else to take away.

"He talked about setting goals not for yourself, but for your team," Abrams said. "That's something I'm trying to focus on as a player right now going into my senior year."

MistaMoe. No team that is in contention for a Super Bowl is going to trade their #1 receiver for AH. Especially not a guy that is considered one of the best young receivers. For starters the Redskins have little leverage as most teams realize that the Redskins almost have to trade him. The best that can be hoped for would be draft picks and a role player. Maybe Foyd and a draft pick. The other challenge is that AH is known across the league as having an attitude and being lazy. He has done nothing to change that this off season.

Posted by: srobert1117 | May 22, 2010 7:37 AM | Report abuse

srobert, I disagree that the Skins have to trade AH. Yes, he has an attitude, and appears to be lazy. On this last thought, tho, I reserve judgment until we see him in camp next month. He was a beast on the field last year. He enabled AC to get a 11 sacks, and BOrak also benefitted. He enabled the Skins to lead the lead in stops on 3rd or 4th and short. He played the second most snaps on the D line. So we don't have to trade him. He is a force in the middle of the line, and there are several teams that could really use him, so there may be some interest. I'm hoping that he stays in DC.

He was a beast on the field last year. He enabled AC to get a 11 sacks, and BOrak also benefitted. He enabled the Skins to lead the lead in stops on 3rd or 4th and short. He played the second most snaps on the D line.

Posted by: frediefritz | May 22, 2010 9:19 AM |

And ... the team finished 4-12. They did so good on D that the new HC wants to go 3-4, with their best D guy not cut out for 3-4. If AH hadn't unleashed such a loud, smelly fart the FO might have been able to arrange a decent trade and both parties would be relatively happy now. Instead, anomie and dyspesia abound.

"No team that is in contention for a Super Bowl is going to trade their #1 receiver for AH."

The general theme, again, is that perhaps some kind of 'straight up' trade of AH for a solid, proven NFL receiver should be contemplated in light of the redskins moves to improve the offense.

The skins moved to add McNabb, drafted Williams, brought in Hicks to start at rt, then suddenly realize that behind S Moss is a rookie (Austin), a 17 year vet, and two dudes (MK-DT) who've done nothing but tease.

And Moss himself might miss who knows what amount of time behind using HGH.

Think of starting the season with Galloway, Kelly, and Thomas as our starting receivers, and you'll see what I mean.

The skins remain a team with a fine defense supporting an offense that doesn't pass the ball that well in the most likely scenario.

It's deja vu--Zorn all over again.

We posted during the Marko Mitchell Saga that perhaps the episode of his release signalled some deeper issue with the redskins' receivers, and folks howled in laughter....

....until Joey Galloway and Bobby Wade crossed our doorstep.

Somebody shouted, "There's Plaxico..." but that's a T.O. media circus without the tent for a player who'll need to time to regain his game.

No matter what the move is, some solid vet type--like TJ Housemanshaneh or Chris Chambers or L Coles--might even be a better, non-trade AH fill-in for the skins' passing game until things are clear about Moss.

Whatever happened to Walt from Lost? I watched the show for the first few seasons until it jumped the shark with time travel and other ridiculous contrivances. But at the end of the first season Walt's kidnapping was one of the big cliffhangers. And then his father turned rat and the last we saw, he and Walt were headed off the island and then nothing. There was a lot of that in Lost - big plot build-ups and then nary hide nor hair more as the storyline moved on to find something else to stir the pot with.

Absolut, cosign, Moe..Guerre-on-tee that Shanny makes some kinda play for a semi-decent ball catcha in the next few weeks..

Now Favre can get the good sh*t, whenever he gets that ankle surgery, his teams go 13-3 afta..And you gotta wonda how many players stab themselves with a bayonet just to get the sweets, know what I'm sayin'??..

Give the Sharks credit - they may have started off the playoffs looking like they had turned over a new leaf but they have reverted to form. It looks like they are going to go out with a goose egg against the Blackhawks in the conference finals with their big guns, Heatley and Thornton, as silent as lambs.

Whats wrong with keeping AH for the duration of his contract (3-4 more years) and if he doesnt conform to the ShanAllen approach have him sit on the bench.

That would be the worse scenerio for AH if he had goals of being selected to future pro bowls and wants to be recognized as the best at his position. AH is in his prime right now and I'm sure he does not want to waste away 3-4 potentially good years of his career. What better message can the Skins send that if you don't conform and become a team player/leader then you will be sitting on the bench during your peak potential playing years.

srobert, I disagree that the Skins have to trade AH. Yes, he has an attitude, and appears to be lazy. On this last thought, tho, I reserve judgment until we see him in camp next month. He was a beast on the field last year. He enabled AC to get a 11 sacks, and BOrak also benefitted. He enabled the Skins to lead the lead in stops on 3rd or 4th and short. He played the second most snaps on the D line. So we don't have to trade him. He is a force in the middle of the line, and there are several teams that could really use him, so there may be some interest. I'm hoping that he stays in DC.

Posted by: frediefritz | May 22, 2010 9:19 AM | Report abuse

I agree with frediefritz that you dont want to trade AH for the above listed reasons. If AH is delegated to the bench until he comes around as a team mate, that will send a strong message to both AH and the rest of the team. To be an extremely talented player and not be able to play will force AH to make a decision on which path he wants to take....does he want to be a football player and contribute to his team and his own career statistics or does he want to be a non football player and deduct games that will impact his own personnal statistics.

ShanAllen has allot of power over AH and over AH's legasy as a dominate defensive tackle in the NFL.

I don't but into all this AH unhappiness stuff. Think how this works out. DT takes 2 blockers so LBs can swarm, but with AH we can get tricky and occasionally send the LBs to take the blockers so AH can get in and mess someone up. And on some 3rd and 4 we slide OLB AC down to end making our 3-4 a 4-3 pre snap and sometimes vice versa creating much confusion enabling AH, AC, and RokPo to control the trenches. And I havent't even gotten to how the effect caries on to others like Carriker, Hall, etc. Gotta keep AH, he's a beast and when the beast is not in battle, the beast must rest. Once camp gets going and then the season starts with the first pummeling of Dallas, all will be well in Redskinland.

As for receivers, keep your eyes and ears open for Shay Hodge out of Ole Miss. We just signed him out of the second mini-camp. Just about every scouting report had him being drafted anywhere from 4th to 7th round, but it didn't happen. Also had a very good senior bowl. Not flashy or fast (4.59), but seems to have a knack for getting the job done and just might be our diamond in the rough. Kinda' under the radar, and I like that...just sayin'...

Is that how they plan to get around that O Line deficiency? Just have everyone go out for a pass?

They literally have more receivers than you can shake a stick at. Go ahead. Try it. Can't be done.

Posted by: Stinker_ | May 22, 2010 11:46 AM

`

Actually that is precisely what the Packers did.

At first they were keeping extra blockers in the formation limiting Rodgers options and opposing teams continued to sack him.

Then they sent 4 and 5 receivers out on the route a la Spurrier. With more options to throw to, the Packers strategy was for Rodgers to throw the ball on no later than his 5th step or take off running.

The Packers made the playoffs and Rodgers had a terrific season, despite being sacked a bajillion times.

People who get their panties bunched over a post like this in MAY are supreme losers. Is it some fluff, sure, but its positive fluf about a good guy athlete giving back a little. So calm the fukk down already. Some of you people loved to be all pisssed off over the most ridiculous crappe.

"Perhaps. But most of Rodgers sacks occurred prior to the Pack deploying multiple receiving options. Opposing teams blitzed fewer times because of Rodgers knack for throwing the ball quickly."

The few games I've watched, particularly in the playoffs, looked like he held the ball til the last possible moment, waiting for someone to come open. He gets away with it because he's so mobile outside the pocket. But a lot of those completions against the Cards were because of amazing efforts by his receivers. I counted four or five that should have been batted down or intercepted. I can't recall the last time I saw an NFL QB gamble like that in a playoff game and get away with it. Maybe the young Favre.

To me Rodgers is taking sacks for the same reason Roethlisberger does -- waiting for the receiver to come open. That's as opposed to Jason Campbell, who's overcautious.

used to enjoy reading Wilbon and Kornheiser, but the allure of ESPN style celebrity and consequent name-dropping took their edge off... part of why I simply refuse to watch TV unless there is an actual game on.

Shanny's pretty popular right now since, you know, he hasn't lost any games yet. Dude did get fired from his last gig - I guess Bowlen got tired of watching Shanny's teams fold down the stretch. I hope the shiny new 3-4 doesn't flop after Haynesworth has been traded away.

Go 'Skins!
Love Donovan McNabb; always a class act in Philly.
So, I'm a Redskins fan this year (once Raiders, sorry).
Does that fat, overweight, self-loathing closet case Rush Limbaugh still have his fatwa against McNabb?
If so, all the more reason to love McNabb.
By the way Rush, how's that purchase of the Rams going for you?
Go 'Skins!

At first they were keeping extra blockers in the formation limiting Rodgers options and opposing teams continued to sack him.

Then they sent 4 and 5 receivers out on the route a la Spurrier. With more options to throw to, the Packers strategy was for Rodgers to throw the ball on no later than his 5th step or take off running.

Posted by: Vicc | May 22, 2010 12:28 PM |

This is a dilemma the Skins will face in the very first game of the season. Keep blockers in to help the tyro Trent against the all-pro D Ware or have McN unload quickly. And they can't afford to get it wrong because McN isn't as young and hardy as A-Rod.

Actually, that was Stephen Stills gone solo from that Whinepack of hippies ("Silver Ships", "CAAAAARRRY OONN!!!"AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!), Diesel44..And next time you travel 10,000 light years, don't show up with the same receiver, okay?? worser than a freakin' tasmanian wolf..

BiggerVance-
Sometimes you gotta wait for these new things to see if they can handle Darwinian reality and theyve worked the bugs out..They get so caught up in the mooly-mooly Hollywood greed of the moment, they neglect the devil in the details ( see recent auto recalls)..

It was prolly the dude's acid diminished synapses confusing "Wooden Ships" with "After the Gold Rush":

Well, I dreamed I saw the silver spaceships flyin'
in the yellow haze of the sun,
there were children cryin' and colours flyin'
all around the chosen ones
All in a dream, all in a dream the loading had begun.
Flying Mother Nature's silver seed to a new home in the sun.
Flying Mother Nature's silver seed to a new home.

used to enjoy reading Wilbon and Kornheiser, but the allure of ESPN style celebrity and consequent name-dropping took their edge off... part of why I simply refuse to watch TV unless there is an actual game on.

Posted by: moodlymoodlymoo | May 22, 2010 2:31 PM | Report abuse

Wilbon is dead-weight at WaPo in my humble opinion ever since he became an ESPN/NBA company man.

They must keep him around b/c he still gives WaPo exposure by being on TV all the time.

His columns have become crap. Not interestiing. Not insightful. And disconnected from the Washington sports scene.

A former Los Angeles Kings hockey player and current assistant coach was charged Friday with sexually assaulting his adult daughter at the Mayflower Hotel.

Mark Hardy, 51, was charged with fourth-degree sexual abuse in connection with fondling his daughter in the hotel room after the two walked from a bar on 19th Street around 1 a. m. The daughter reportedly attends college in D.C.

The victim told police that she and her father were “very intoxicated,” and after she had changed her clothes, got into bed and fell asleep, she was awakened by her father laying next to her and touching her inappropriately, according to documents filed late Friday in D.C. Superior Court.

After first denying that anything happened, Hardy apologized to his daughter, the court papers said. She then ran from the room to the front desk for help.

Tyler Weisman is considered a crime victim, but getting tortured and robbed while looking for a hooker late Thursday may land him in prison, according to the state Department of Corrections.

Weisman, a 54-year-old registered sexual predator, was beaten about 9:30 p.m. when he was lured into a house on Orlando's west side "with promises of prostitution," according to Orlando police reports.

Convicted last year of molesting an 11-year-old girl in Seminole County, Weisman spent a year in jail and received 20 years of probation, records show.

But on Thursday night, police reports state, the former computer salesman turned down a crack-smoking prostitute's advances but remained at the house on Springdale Road when an ex-convict offered to get him "a younger girl."

The offer turned out to be a ruse.

Albert Brooks, who has served three sentences in state prison, thought his potential client was an undercover police officer, reports stated. He left the room and then returned with an aerosol can and cigarette lighter. Brooks "sprayed the contents of the can while holding a lighter to the fumes creating a sort of flame thrower" and burned the side of Weisman's face to force him to admit he was a cop, reports state.

Weisman managed to escape after getting beaten on the head, being robbed of $75 and losing his hearing aids and eyeglasses, reports stated.

Unable to tell police the exact address of the attack, Weisman led officers back to the house by describing a "Jesus" sign displayed in front of the building, reports state. Weisman, who could not be reached, was treated for his injuries at Florida Hospital South, reports stated.

No charges have been filed against Weisman, but he is now under investigation by state probation and parole officials. Notified of the incident Friday afternoon, state Probation and Parole Regional Director Barbara Scala in Orlando said the agency will conduct an in-depth review of Weisman's behavior to determine if he violated probation and warrants being sent to prison.

Scala noted that Weisman's probation requires him to wear a GPS monitor, which will show if he violated his 10 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew. Other conditions include not associating with criminals or visiting place where intoxicants and illegal drugs are used.

Brooks, who was accused of torturing Weisman, was arrested on charges of false imprisonment, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and robbery with a weapon. He remains held in the Orange County Jail in lieu of $20,600 bail.

Perhaps. But most of Rodgers sacks occurred prior to the Pack deploying multiple receiving options. Opposing teams blitzed fewer times because of Rodgers knack for throwing the ball quickly.

Rodgers success has led me to believe that he watches a ton of video and studies opposing defenses.

Kurt Warner was a master at recognizing pressure and throwing the ball against the blitz. The blitzing side always leaves a void in coverage.

Posted by: Vicc | May 22, 2010 12:42 PM

Pricc,

Stop it. Your argument is RIDICULOUS. Meaning, it makes you look not smart.

How much football do YOU watch?
My dog watches the games, too. I'm not sure you understand much more than he does.

I thought you might be playing devil's advocate - or maybe you were bored and figured you'd stir up trouble with some ridiculous proposition. Now, I'm actually starting to believe that YOU believe what you're saying. And that does not speak well of your common sense, let alone football IQ.

If you think we should be emulating the Packers, that alone, proves you need to unplug your pc.

Kurt Warner's career DOVE because he couldn't handle pressure. As long as he wasn't getting hit, he was great, like most NFL QBs (except Wrecks Nessman).

"Opposing teams blitzed fewer times because of Rodgers knack for throwing the ball quickly."

Posted by: Dicc | May 22, 2010 12:42 PM

Yeah, that's true. First, the fact that the number of blitzes decreased in direct relation to all of Rodgers' quick completions has been well documented. I mean, just look at the number of blitzes per pass attempt! It's obvious, right? I mean, you probably could just go ahead and post those figures - both BEFORE and AFTER teams realized Rodgers is so quick - just to prove that you're not full of it.

And Secondly, after you prove your insane statement, you could just go ahead and paste the quotes up here of all the Defensive Coordinators who faced the Packers where they say the reason they gave up on the blitz is because it was unsuccessful. Which is why the Packers never had a chance. Which is why Rodgers was the most sacked QB in the NFL last year.

If we do that, you'll be the first one to try to propose why Wrecks Nessman is better than Jason Campbell. Because you are like a kid.

Dude - you should make sure that your dog gets a chance to watch a lot of college games. He wouldn't have a team to root for in the NFL (outside of any team that is playing a team that Dog Killer is on) but with college he has a lot of choices - Huskies: Wash and UConn; Wolfpack: NC State and Nevada; etc. If he is willing to go FCS then Salukis from Southern Ill.

Yeah, that's true. First, the fact that the number of blitzes decreased in direct relation to all of Rodgers' quick completions has been well documented. I mean, just look at the number of blitzes per pass attempt! It's obvious, right? I mean, you probably could just go ahead and post those figures - both BEFORE and AFTER teams realized Rodgers is so quick - just to prove that you're not full of it.

And Secondly, after you prove your insane statement, you could just go ahead and paste the quotes up here of all the Defensive Coordinators who faced the Packers where they say the reason they gave up on the blitz is because it was unsuccessful. Which is why the Packers never had a chance. Which is why Rodgers was the most sacked QB in the NFL last year.

Posted by Stinker_

`

First off you win with the name calling. I was laughing my ass off with the whole pricc and dicc thing.

Now I heard Mike Sherman--not opposing defensive coordinators you schmuck--discuss possible remedies for the Packers poor offensive line play. I apologize for I can't find the video or audio clip of him talking about giving Aaron more targets to throw to versus keeping extra blockers to protect Aaron. Just take my word for it...

Well, again, Vicccp, if you think the Redskins should go that route, I'm glad your influence is limited to posting comments herein.

Hey, at least you make friends doing it, unlike me, who has to rely on the mundane world of reality for friendship, acceptance, and being generally "liked."

Even so, with not ONE "friend" on all of the Washington Post Comment Sections so far, I will continue to say what the ficc I want to, when I want to, and say how I see it.

A lot of people got mad when I called the Caps chokers after game 5. Oh the ficc well! I didn't see anybody posting "you were right"s on here either. Just a bunch of tools killing time on here, of which I'm just another, with no delusions of friendship or fulfillment.

I just WISH the Redskins would go to a Packer-style offense - which, I'm sure was not the preference of the Packers, themselves - so you could see how McInjured would do versus the flawed and slow Jason Campbell. For a good indication of what our offense would look like, see the last two Philly games at Dallas. McNabb looked like McSh!t.

You don't see the Patriots winning Super Bowls with Brady on the ground. You don't see the Colts in the Super Bowl with no run game. The "Chuck and Duck" offense has been proven a failure.

I KNOW Shanahan is not as ignorant as you are, so I know we will not live to see your ideal offense in action. Nobody, except maybe Vinnie, would believe that what you propose is a winning strategy.

And, in conclusion, Ficc everybody else on here, too. I'd rather them not talk out their rears than like me.

I wonder if they'd like me more if I said "nice" stuff and said what good ideas they have, even though, many times I feel they don't know what the ficc they're talking about.

Topics I think are usually limited to those who don't know squat about the game:

Stats often point to real trends, but they also are known to lie. I don't rely on them. A good team usually beats a worse team, despite the stats. A good team often has good players on it, more often employing a superior strategy. Football, despite what most people think, is a game of intelligence. Sure, a strong guy with a nice 40 can play, but he will not be special. Montana was special. Peyton Manning is special. Emmitt Smith was special. Darrell Green was special. John Riggins was special. They combined athletic skill with intelligence.

Going into the season with 12 wideouts and a 'dirt bag' O Line is not intelligent.

And by the way, did it ever occur to you that Rogers did better when he wasn't getting sacked?

What was the Packers' record over the last 8 games vs the first 8 when he was getting the stuffing sacked out of him?

And WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I mean, 68.4% vs 62.8% Wow. Just BEGGING the opponents to blitz, right?

Did you ever think that maybe "against the blitz" was on obvious passing downs? Where the play-calling took the anticipated blitz into account and gave Rodgers a safety release? Maybe a quick pass to the back would explain the higher percentage and lower yardage. Whatever. I know his career will be short if it keeps up like that.

I mean, stats are great when you're negotiating your contract, but they don't really say squat.

Rodgers is a good QB. I can see that without knowing his passer rating. Brunell was WAY worse than his numbers suggest. Campbell? I can't believe he had a positive Passer Rating in light of the moronic scheme, lack of run, strength of schedule, and pathetic O Line. Yet, he did.

Pack are just lucky that Beluga fell to them. If we had takin' him , it wouldn't have been too bad. But, now the Pack are positioning for a run against the Vikes, if Rodgers gets protection with those receivers, watch out..

Zorno started out this way (3/4 wide sets), but gave up after a rash of offensive line injuries, his wack scheme, Campbell's indecisive nature, and poor wide receiver play all contributed to the meltdown we witnessed over the past two seasons.

And presently, we remain decidely weak in two of the areas listed here: offensive line and wide receiver play.

We know the redskins will run the ball well.

Hicks and Williams will be servicable tackles with no depth behind them.

But we also know that teams will play 8 man fronts and run-blitz up until McNabb finds a target that'll make defenses play honest.

You have to also hope the FO takes some steps to secure an additional vet receiver to be in place should S Moss receive some sort of sanction from Roger Goodell behind HGH allegations.

We can open up and pass in the style folks want.

But until the line play is solid and receivers show they can make plays, Yogi Berra will say the redskin offense is Zorno-Deja vu all over again having seen it all before.

" Judge, the reason why I tried to kill 10,000 people on the subway with poison gas was because I loved them and wanted to relieve their suffering..I will relieve your suffering, too, if you give me a moment.."